#guys it was such a stupid way to sprain my ankle too

[aiscapades]

every month it seems i acquire a new injury. injured neck, sprained wrist, now a sprained ankle. like what the fuck is going on with me. i'm going to tourniquet leander like a water balloon and chug the luck right out of him

[gregorygerwitz]

AITA for maiming my best friend?

I (32M) have known my best friend, E (32M), for about 6 years. We met through work when he started at my firehouse, and we kind of clicked by the end of our first shift. These are long stories, but I help him out with his son, C (13M), a lot, I take C to the zoo regularly, and we (C and I) got caught in the tsunami a few years ago when we went to the pier for the day. E has me in his will to take custody of C if anything happens to him. When I say he's my best friend, I mean he's like family, and we've been family for a while.

Last month, our team kind of borrowed an LAFD helicopter to save our captain and his wife when their cruise ship was capsized (yeah! that cruise ship!), so my future brother-in-law called an old buddy of his, T (45M), who's a helicopter pilot to fly us into a hurricane. T is super cool! He's a pilot, and he used to be at my firehouse before I got there, and he used to be in the army (like E!), and he likes karaoke and trivia and basketball and Star Wars.

E and T got really close after we did the helicopter rescue. T flew E to Vegas for a fight that he got ring-side tickets for (which meant T couldn't go out to get a beer with me, even though I think he wanted to). They went to a karaoke trivia night together. And when E was telling me about it, I kind of thought he was going to invite me, too, but he just asked me to babysit C for him that night instead. I love C, he's a great kid, but I was kind of sad I didn't get to spend time with my best friend.

When I was babysitting C, I saw E's day planner on the fridge. Underneath a take-out menu, there was something written in for this Thursday - "B.B.P.U. w/ T" - basketball pick up game with T (my sister made me explain it to her) - and it was CIRCLED - but it's this game that first responders have every other Thursday. E has asked me to go a few times, but I don't like basketball so I always say no.

Anyway, C kept talking about T all night while we ate dinner and played videogames. And T apparently lied to C about his favorite Star Wars movie to make C like him more??? Which should be illegal.

So I asked my BIL to go to the basketball game with me, and he kept asking why I suddenly like basketball (I don't like it, it's a stupid sport), all the way to the court. E teased me, too, but that's just what E does. But we played basketball against E and T and the rest of their team, and I wasn't doing too bad. And then E and T high fived a lot and were acting like they're best friends, even though E is my best friend, not T's, and I got frustrated.

I accidentally (?) knocked E over when he was going for a basket. My BIL said E sprained his ankle and was lucky I didn't break his leg when I knocked him down.

My sister says I was acting like a 14 year old girl, and I know she's kind of right. But it wasn't on purpose, I don't think.

AITA?

UPDATE: apparently I like guys???

UPDATE 2: a lot of the comments think I'm in love with E. no, he's just my best friend! T kissed me. we have a date on Saturday.

[scarletwinterxx]

my 200 - mark lee imagine

helllooooo, it's been a while😅 well to sum up the time i was gone, i've been busy with work, i cried alot after taeyong's enlistment, i secured tickets to see dreamies, i cried some more. i think that's it hahah anywayssss Mark Solo!!! i love love love the song🥺 and that's my inspo for this scenario, hope you like it!

For my other works you can check them out here, and for my other story series’ you can check them out here.

and if you want, u can buy me coffee(totally optional but any donation is very much appreciated!) thank you🥺💛

All works are copyrighted ©scarletwinterxx 2024 . Do not repost, re-write without the permission of author.

(pics and gif not mine, credits to rightful owner)

"So, are you still mad at him?" Haechan asks again. The same question he's been asking since the other night you went home upset. Ofcourse being your brother he knows you, he might be annoying as heck but he does care for you.

"I'm not mad at him"

"Then why aren't you talking?"

"Who says we aren't talking?" you asked back

"You haven't charged your phone since yesterday. I would know since I can track you. Number two, you're actually hanging out with me"

You hit him on the arm, glaring at him

"No but really, you good?" he asks

"I don't like it when you get serious. But to answer your question, no I'm not so fine right now" you finally admit

"So you two really fought? wow, never thought I'd see the day"

"Shut up, we didn't fight. I just said something and he freaked out then I freaked out now we're here" you vaguely explain, Haechan look at you with a confused look on his face.

"Care to share?" he prods

"I said I love you to him, I'm not even mad if he didn't say it back because that's not why I said it but the way he reacted got me thinking maybe I shouldn't have said it. There, now you know"

Haechan looks at you for a few seconds before shaking his head and walking ahead without saying anything else

"Yah! Where are you going?"

"Away from your stupid" he teases you, "I'm already upset enough, you can atleast pretend to be on my side"

He stops walking making you halt too. Haechan takes a deep breath before speaking as if he's preparing to make a speech

"I'm only gonna say this now because it's still weird my bestfriend is dating my sister, so you listen okay? This is Mark we're talking about. The same guy who let me boss him around just so I finally let you go out for coffee with him. The Mark that stayed with you at the hospital when you sprained your ankle and wouldn't let you lift even your finger for weeks until you got better. The Mark who would get coffee for you when don't even like the smell of coffee. I have to listen to him swoon over you every time we hang out, I hate it but I like him for you. Is that the guy you're doubting?"

As you listen to his words, all those scenarios play in your head. Each one making your heart fill with warmth only Mark could make you feel. Haechan and Mark have been friends longer than you and Mark have dated, he knows his bestfriend and you trust your brother.

"Then what do I do? I don't want to freak him out"

"If anything, I think he freaked himself out" Haechan chuckles, "Believe me, when it comes to you his brain cannot function right. He speaks many language but he forgets all of them when it's you he's thinking about"

You smile at that, feeling better.

"You're still coming to open mic night, right?" Haechan asks

"Ofcourse, Mark's still playing so I'll be there"

"Good, talk to him after. Not before, after. He won't get the words out if you talk to him before"

That night you arrived at the chill bar rented for the event. Mark told you a weeks ago he's playing, you were excited to hear him play live.

Just because you're in a bit of a situation doesn't mean you won't cheer for him. That's why Mark has been looking at the door ever since he arrived. Every time someone walks in, he gets his hopes up to finally see you since he had his freak out infront of you but it's been 40 minutes and you're still not here.

He should've picked you up. As your boyfriend, he thinks that's his job but Haechan told him the two of you will meet him there. Atleast you're coming.

"Hey Mark, you're next" Dejun calls him, gesturing to the small stage. Mark takes a look at the door one last time before walking onstage, strapping his guitar on before facing the audience.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the dark corner you concealed yourself from his view. You've been watching him watch the door, a pang in your chest when his hopeful eyes turn sad.

You watch him get on stage, getting his guitar and tapping the mic to make sure it's on.

"Hello... Hi... Okay it's working. Uh Hi everyone, I'm Mark. For tonight I'm going to sing an original song I wrote. Hope you like it" he smiles, earning cheers from the crowd.

You don't miss the squeals from the females in the crowd, whispering amongst themselves while looking at him in a way you don't really like.

Standing straight against the wall, you wait for him to start

"First you crashed into

my life and you just broke

My roof and my window

girl you had me shook"

You knew Mark's singing voice is good, countless times he serenaded you. Him and his guitar and you as his only audience.

"Who told me

love would come down

like a million rocks"

"You are my rockstar

Without you

I’ll always feel alone

When I’m lost

you guide me home yeah

You make my whole heart

When nothing adds up

I’ll be your number

You’re a 106 and I’m 94 yeah"

You can't even say or do anything but listen to him. Each word sinking in, in your head you're wishing to the universe that the words were meant for you.

In that moment, his eyes meet yours. Just like that, Mark's gaze changes. Like his purpose for being here finally arrived. Now he's not closing his eyes as he sing, he's looking right into your eyes straight into your soul as he says the words

"A million different stars but you’re the one

First you crashed into my life and you just broke

My roof and my window girl you had me shook

I’m living that Drama in my head again

Who told me love would come down like a million rocks

The rock you came with was an alibi

You and I we have the same disguise

Even that long brim of grey cap can’t hide

So till night rolls in again, together Can we rise up

You are my rockstar

Without you I’ll always feel alone

When I’m lost you guide me home yeah

You make my whole heart

When nothing adds up I’ll be your number

You’re a 106 and I’m 94 yeah"

The crowd cheers as he finishes the song but all he can see is you. He puts down the guitar then makes a beeline towards you. Everything else is background noise to him.

When he gets to you, he can't say anything. The words getting stuck.

"You sound great. The song too" you tell him

"Thanks" he mumbles, making you laugh. Instead of saying anything else, you just throw your arms around him, instantly he hugs you back. Burying his head in-between your neck and shoulder, a few days is too long without your hugs so he missed you terribly.

"I missed you" you hear him mumble

Tangling your fingers in his hair, you bask in his warmth. You missed him just as much. Any misunderstanding already forgotten.

"Let's get out of here" he says, breaking from the hug first before leading you out the door

"Where are we going?" you ask

"Anywhere, I just want to be alone with you" he smiles, giving you a quick kiss on the temple before the two of you started to walk with no destination for the night.

"So... tell me about the song"

Your intertwined hands swings in between the two of you, you watch him smile to himself like he just remembered something funny.

"It's called 200"

"200?"

He nods his head, "like you know 106 plus 94" he reference the lyrics to his song

"Yea that too, what does that mean by the way?" you ask, genuinely curious as to what inspired him to name the song 200 and the meaning behind the love filled lyrics

"94 days, that's when we had our first kiss. On the 94th day since we started dating. We went ice skating, then I walked you home. We kissed outside your door" he tells you, his eyes stay on the ground while yours stay on him

You can't even begin to describe what you're feeling right now. Kind of confused but also very very much moved with his words.

"and the 106?"

"You know... the first time we... yea that." he scratches the back of his neck, getting shy to explain the second reference but you already know what he meant.

This time you stop walking making Mark stop too. Finally he looks up at you, "So 200?" you ask

He bites his lips, his mind trying to process the words because he doesn't want to mess this up. He moves so now he's full facing you, pulling on your other hand so now he's holding both and you're now facing him too.

"There are a lot of meaning for 200 actually. But one of them could be 'Divine Timing', it means to trust the universe and Heaven are working on it, that you need to wait before everything falls into place. You know I used to think it would be so hard to fall in love, I used to wonder how would someone know that that person is the one for them. What if they're not? What then? I had so many questions, I had so many doubts" he admits, explaining the meaning behind 200

"Then like an answered prayer, you came into my life. I've never questioned anything since. Not until you told me you loved me, that night I was at lost. Not because I don't feel the same, it's because I do. I do love you. How is it that the girl of my dreams and my reality loves me too and she said it first before I could? Do I deserve her? Do I deserve you?"

By this time, tears welled up on the corners of your eyes. Mark looks at you in awe, wiping the few tears that managed to escape

"Sorry I acted that way, I had so many things to say but I didn't know how"

"Haechan did say you tend to forget how to speak when you're with me" you joke, making Mark laugh

"Well he's not wrong, you just render me speechless every time" he tells you

"So the song was about me?"

"Yes, and each and every song I sang. Some of my own, others I've picked because it reminded me of you. You are the music of my life, my only muse. I'll be your music for this lifetime" he takes your face in his hands, memorizing every detail of this moment so he could sing about it for the years to come.

"You love me?" you ask, pouting adorably at your boyfriend. He nods at you with a smile on his face before kissing you sweetly

"Very very very much. I love you, so so much" He whispers against your lips, sealing each word with a kiss like sealing a promise to you.

You smile with each peck, your grin growing until you were giggling. Music to Mark's ears. "I love you, too" you tell him

"I know you hate math, but when nothing adds up just think 200" he jokes making you laugh

"You and your way with words" you playfully roll your eyes at him

"You love me"

"That I do, Mark Lee. That I do.  

[envysparkler]

It had been a regular Friday—normal patrol, doing the rounds, Bruce hovering over all of them in spirit because he was laid up with a sprained ankle, and, of course, interrupted by a wannabe Rogue that was either insanely dangerous or ridiculously stupid.  Or, as in tonight’s case, both at the same time.

Magic.  Wondrous, terrible magic.  There was a reason Batman did his best to keep magic out of Gotham.  It was too unpredictable and they were all only human.  Their sole defense against magic was to dodge.  And keep dodging.  Damn, this guy was really fast at casting spells.

Dick hadn’t been paying much attention to his spiel—something something power something something Gotham something something everyone will know my name—because he’d graduated the point where he wasn’t the one who had to do the detective work—that was what younger siblings were for—and he merely calculated the height of those hanging lights and if one would crash and hit the magician if he cut them properly.

There was a yelp as Red Robin and Robin accidentally dove in the same direction to avoid a spell and ended up sprawling out on the ground.  Dick was on the other side of the magician, too far to help, but Red Hood stepped forward, growling, “Hey, you Hogwarts reject, did you learn aim from the Imperial Stormtroopers?”

Dick marked another point in Hood’s I-swear-we’re-not-family-fuck-off-Dickhead-or-I’ll-shoot-you-and-also-if-you-get-shot-I’ll-kill-you-myself column.  At this point, the only person who probably still believed Hood’s protestations of rebelliousness was Bruce.

Hood fired a warning shot from his gun.

The magician attacked on instinct.

Hood didn’t get out of the way fast enough.

Everyone in the warehouse saw the gray beam of light hit Hood square in the chest.  Dick’s heart dropped somewhere below his stomach, Red Robin made a sharp cry, and even Robin took a step towards Hood, though it was already too late.

Hood’s figure winked out.

No, something in Dick screamed, already whirling towards the magician—and was stopped by a tiny, scratchy little meow.

Dick swiveled back.  There was an unbelievably small baby kitten on the ground where Hood had just been, all black with a tiny little spot of white on his forehead.

Red Robin made a choked sound.  Robin had frozen in place.  “Oops,” the magician said, sounding distinctly sheepish.

Before anyone could react, the magician disappeared with a crack.

“Hood?” Dick tried, struggling to keep his voice level.  The baby kitten made another sharp cry, and took a tottering step forward.

Dick couldn’t control himself anymore.

“Oh my god.”  He was so tiny.  He could fit into Dick’s palm.  Maybe-Hood hissed when Dick scooped him up, putting up a valiant effort to gnaw Dick’s fingers off even if those teeny tiny little teeth—and that little pink tongue—could barely put a dent in Dick’s gloves.

“Is that really Hood?” Red Robin said, a strange expression on his face, like Christmas had come early and he wasn’t ready to believe it.  “What if—what if the guy just…sent Hood somewhere, and replaced him with a kitten?”

“It would be an improvement,” Robin muttered.

Probably-Hood stopped chewing Dick’s fingers to shoot Robin the dirtiest look a baby kitten could muster, and Dick could see the consternation visibly melt off of Robin’s face as his baby brother resisted the urge to coo.

“Even if this isn’t Hood, we need to get back to the Cave and figure out what that spell was,” Dick said, studying the kitten.  “Hmm, little guy?  Are you my little brother?  Give me a meow for yes, and continue trying to bite my fingers for no.”

Most-Definitely-Hood hissed at him again.

“This is the best day of my life,” Dick grinned.  “Bruce is going to freak out.”

~#~

Bruce was, indeed, freaking out.  “What happened?” he nearly shouted as they got out of the Batmobile, waiting in the garage—and judging by Alfred’s visible aura of disapproval, clearly against orders.

Dick, climbing out of the passenger seat, had to make a flailing catch as the baby kitten attempted to make a break for it.  “Shh,” he said.  “You’re going to scare Jason.”

Bruce stopped and stared.  Tim, exiting the driver’s side, broke down again into the giggling fit that had nearly caused him to crash the car.  Damian looked visibly amused.

Bruce blinked at the car, as if expecting a hulking six foot two former crime lord to get out.  And then looked at Dick and the tiny little kitten hissing in his hands.  Back at the car.  Back at Dick.

“What?” he finally said, voice weak.

“At least Damian isn’t going to adopt him,” Dick said, firmly detaching tiny kitten claws from his gloves to deposit the furiously hissing kitten into Bruce’s grasp.  Jason squawked, loudly, and attempted to escape, but Bruce’s reflexes were too fast.

He slowly drew the little ball of fur up to his face, face slack, ignoring the way the kitten pricked his palms.  “You’re joking,” Bruce said flatly.

“Would I joke about something like this?” Dick asked, wounded.  Bruce gave him a Look.  “Okay, yeah, I would totally joke about something like this, I can’t believe I’ve never thought of it before, but no, our little magician problem waved his staff and it hit Jay and,” Dick waggled his fingers at the puffed-up kitten.

Bruce still didn’t look convinced.

“Of course,” Dick said to the kitten, “if this isn’t Jason, that means it’s a lost little kitten that needs to go to the vet and get lots of shots—”

Jason reacted predictably to the idea of needles and neatly clambered up Bruce’s arm, clinging to the man’s shoulder and hissing at Dick from his perch.

Dick turned the shit-eating grin to his father, “Believe me now?”

Bruce was wincing and trying to extract Jason’s claws from his skin.  “Jason got turned into a cat?  How do we undo the spell?”

“Frankly, Father, I find the current state of affairs significantly more agreeable,” Damian said, returning after changing.  “You have to admit that Todd is more tolerable like this.”

The kitten didn’t have time to take offense before Tim piped up, his face still splotchy from laughing too hard, “Yeah, he’s all cute and cuddly.”

Jason made a low growling rumble that showed clearly what he thought of that sentiment.  Unfortunately for him, it just made him look cuter.

“Boys, stop teasing your brother,” Bruce said firmly, finally managing to finagle Jason’s claws free of his shirt and tuck him into the curve of his elbow.  “Of course we’re going to figure out how to get him back.”

Jason made a loud hiss and scratched Bruce.  Bruce, startled, loosened his grip, and Jason leapt free like a bullet.  Dick dove for him and missed, Tim jumped out of the way as Jason went streaking past, and soon the black kitten was no longer visible.

“Well, that was entirely predictable,” Damian said, staring in the direction Jason had gone.

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Summary: Eddie takes care of Steve’s bat bites instead of the other way around. Eddie left unscathed after they defeated Vecna, and Steve could no longer ignore the pain from his wounds. Eddie takes care of him.

Eddie closed his eyes tightly as he lay on the ground, waiting for the bats to bite into his flesh. It never came. He opened his eyes to find Dustin leaning over him and scowling.

"The bats are all dead, dumbass," Dustin said. "And I think my ankle is sprained."

"Shit! Why the hell did you follow me?!" Eddie yelled as he jumped up.

"Because I love you, and I wanted to stop you from doing something stupid!" Dustin yelled.

"By also doing something stupid?!" Eddie asked.

"Well, I may be smart, but I'm also stupid!" Dustin said.

"So, we both agree. . .we're both dumbasses!" Eddie screamed.

"With really big hearts," Dustin said softly.

Eddie rolled his eyes and helped back through the other side of the gate. Eddie set him on the couch and helped wrap his ankle.

"I love you too, man," Eddie said. "You're like the child and pet I never wanted."

"Thanks," Dustin said sarcastically.

When the others got back through the gate, they all watched as it closed behind them, and then Steve turned to them. He put his hands on his hips.

"I thought I told you not to be a hero, Dustin," Steve said.

"It wasn't me. It was Eddie who bought you more time!" Dustin said.

"He wasn't supposed to follow me!" Eddie exclaimed.

"Seriously, Eddie?" Steve asked.

"What?! You can't spank me! You're not my real mom!" Eddie yelled.

"Let's just go get the others and get the fuck out of here," Steve said, sighing and pinching his nose.

"We can't go to Nancy's house. The cops will be waiting for us there," Dustin said.

"Steve’s house it is, then," Robin said.

When they picked up Max and Lucas, they were alarmed to find Lucas's face bruised to hell.

"Jason," he explained as Steve drove away from the Creel House.

"Fuck! Sorry, Lucas," Eddie said.

"It's not your fault. I'm sorry that I ever followed that psycho in the first place," Lucas said.

"And I'm sorry that I wasn't more supportive of you playing basketball," Eddie said.

"And I'm sorry that I have to sit here and listen to this dumbass conversation," Erica said.

They gathered in Steve's living room, where Robin began telling them how she got frustrated when they were killing Vecna. She told them in great detail about how she grabbed the axe from Steve’s bag and split Vecna down the middle. While she was talking, Eddie noticed Steve slip away. He made sure that everyone was watching her before following Steve. He wasn't sure why he did it, but he felt like he needed to. He found Steve leaning over the sink in one of the upstairs bathroom.

"You okay, man?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, I'm okay, I'm fine," Steve said.

"Well, you said okay and fine right next to each other. You're leaning heavily against the counter there," Eddie said.

"It's nothing that I can't handle," Steve said, wincing.

"Except from what I saw of this group, you guys tend to do things together," Eddie said and then paused, tilting his head. "Oh, it's because you're so used to doing things by yourself. You sit in this big empty house, all alone. How many times have your parents left you all alone here? Left you to do things on your own?"

"Man, for someone who's misread me completely earlier, you knocked it out of the ballpark with that one," Steve replied, sniffling.

"What do you mean?" Eddie asked.

"You misread the situation with Nancy all wrong," Steve said. "She cares about me, but she doesn't. . .not anymore."

"Shit, man, I'm sorry," Eddie winced.

Steve sighed. He took off his jacket and then struggled to take off his shirt. Eddie came by and helped him take off his shirt. Eddie winced at the road rash on Steve’s back and arm.

"You also completely misread me too," Steve said. "I mean, I knew as soon as I told her that it wasn't Nancy I wanted."

"Has anyone seen these?" Eddie asked. "You got a first aid kit or something?"

"Down there," Steve said, pointing to the bottom left cabinet.

Eddie pulled out a big first aid box and whistled at the sight of it. He washed his hands, grabbed a wet rag, and began to clean the wounds. He looked for any signs of infection and pulled out little bits of Upside Down debris as he dragged the rag as gently as he could across his skin. Steve still shuddered and winced, though. He grabbed the antibiotic ointment and began to slather it across Steve’s wounds.

"So, this other girl that you're interested in," Eddie said. "Is it Robin?"

"Ew, no," Steve said.

"Should I be insulted on her behalf?" Eddie chuckled.

"It's not a girl that I'm interested in," Steve said.

"Oh. . .Oh! Well, that's cool, man. I don't judge," Eddie said. "It would be weird if I did, though, considering that I like guys too."

"Uh, Eddie, I'm not wounded there," Steve said.

"Shit, man, sorry," Eddie said when he realized how low on his back his hands had dipped.

"I didn't say stop. You're really good with your hands," Steve said.

Eddie blushed as he continued to massage his backside. Eddie stopped when he saw in the mirror that Steve was closing his eyes and biting his lip. He refocused his brain and remembered what he was doing and washed his hands again. He wrapped up his wounds carefully. His hands drifted to the dirty bandage around his middle.

"I should take a look at these too," Eddie said.

Steve turned around to give him better access. The bites had bitten low, and Eddie winced. Any lower and they would have. . .Eddie did NOT want to think about that. Steve gave him the nod to go ahead and do whatever he needed to do. Eddie unbuttoned his pants and pushed them down slightly. Jason Carver, think about the fact that he's hunting you down, Eddie thought. Anything other than this. He did the same with the bat bites: washed them, looked for any sign of infection, and put on some fresh bandages after putting on more oinment.

"I don't think I would be able to take a shower, but I feel gross so a rag bath would have to do," Steve muttered.

"Can you even bend down?" Eddie asked.

"I have been having some trouble in that department," he said softly.

"Then it looks like I'm going to have to wash you down, big boy," Eddie said. "That is, if you really want to get clean."

"Can you wash my hair first?" Steve asked.

He looked so vulnerable in that moment as if he were asking Eddie to do something sacred. Eddie cupped his jaw, smiling and flashing his dimples in soft, closed smile.

"Sure thing," Eddie said.

"There's a shower chair in the closet," Steve muttered.

Eddie pulled the chair up to the sink and gathered his shampoos and conditioners together. He pushed Steve gently into the chair and tilted his head back to run water over his head with a cup. Eddie tried to focus on what Steve instructed him to do, but it was difficult when Steve’s throat was so exposed and he was gazing at Eddie with his gorgeous hazel eyes of his. Eddie ran his fingers through his hair as he began to massage his scalp. Steve closed his eyes and moaned. Eddie cursed mentally. Focus, Munson. After he finished washing his hair, Steve gave him a look so soft it made Eddie's insides melt. Steve placed a hand on his hip.

"Thank you for doing that," Steve said. "I've never let anyone do that for me before."

"You make me sound special," Eddie said. "A guy could get used to that."

"You are special, Eddie," Steve said and pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around his waist. "Dustin told me that it was a big deal for you to give me your vest. You could have given me your jacket."

"You are a big deal, Steve Harrington," Eddie replied softly.

Steve pulled him down, so now he was straddling his leg. He grasped the back of Eddie's neck and kissed him. Eddie eagerly kissed him back before pulling back as he remembered how injured Steve was. He placed a quick peck on Steve’s lips before standing up.

"If we continue any further, we're going to have a problem," Eddie muttered. "Let's get you clean. I think I'm going to need a shower after this."

"A cold one?" Steve asked teasingly.

"Fuck off," he laughed. "Remove your damn pants."

"You're going to have to remove my shoes," Steve said.

Eddie got on his knees and started to wonder if Steve wanted him in the position, but then he took off his shoes along with this socks. Eddie gasped.

"I didn't think about you walking around down there without any shoes," Eddie said. "Gonna have to clean your feet, too."

Eddie helped him slip off his pants and started with his feet. One of his ankles looked bruised. He was going to have to wrap that. Steve coughed awkwardly and began to pull at his boxers. Eddie raised his eyebrows.

"Don't worry, I'll clean that," Steve said, blushing. "It's just starting to feel uncomfortable."

"Gotchya, it's not a problem," Eddie said. "It feels a lot less sexual than it should be. It feels more. . ."

"Intimate?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, is it weird that I like it?" Eddie asked.

"I like it too," Steve said. "And when I get better, I am so returning the favor."

"You going to wash my hair too, Stevie?" Eddie asked.

"Definitely, and from here on out, you are the only other person who is allowed to wash my hair," Steve replied.

"Right back at ya," Eddie grinned and kissed him.

It really was very intimate, and it was almost scary how much he loved it. He's never had a relationship like this. Well, he's never had a relationship at all because who would want to date the Freak? Turns out, it was Steve Harrington. What the fuck? He smiled in disbelief and looked up at Steve. He leaned his head against Steve’s chest, the only part that wasn't injured. Steve sighed and wrapped his arms around Eddie. Suddenly, it was like all of Eddie's problems faded away. He hadn't been dragged to an alternate dimension. He hadn't been framed for murder and Jason Carver wasn't out for his blood. All was good in Steve Harrington's arms. The door burst open suddenly, and Eddie hugged him tighter to protect Steve’s bits. It was Robin. She stood in the doorway with wide eyes.

"What the fuck? Okay, I just came in here for the first aid kit for Lucas," she said, grabbing the kit. "And when I got back, everyone is going to be fully clothed. I want to talk about your intentions towards my best friend because he's been used for sex before and as his best friend - "

"Robin! He's tending to my wounds," Steve said, blushing.

"I'm sorry, did a bat bite you on your - "

"Robin!"

"Right! Leaving!"

"You're going to need some clothes," Eddie realized, laughing. "I'll get you some."

"Grab yourself some too," Steve said.

Once he helped Steve get dressed and wrapped his foot, he started undressing for his shower. He made it into a show for Steve, making music with his mouth as he dramatically pulled off an article of clothing. Once he was naked, he wiggled his ass at Steve and popped his foot at him before hopping into the shower.

"Don't make me laugh," Steve giggled. "And do you have the letter M tattooed on the bottom of your foot?"

"It's a W, for Wayne," Eddie replied.

Once he was showered, he wrapped an arm around Steve’s waist and walked them to his room. He laid Steve on the bed.

"I am so wired," Eddie said as he hopped around Steve’s room.

"There's a bookshelf in my closet," Steve said.

Eddie opened the door and gasped.

"There are books!" Eddie said.

"Jocks can read, you know," Steve said sarcastically.

"That's not what I meant! I was just pleasantly surprised!" Eddie said quickly, and Steve laughed. "You were just messing with me, weren't you? You dick. Hmm, there are a lot of mysteries here. I prefer science fiction and fantasy myself, but I do enjoy a good mystery every once in a while. Ooh, I see a couple of romance novels here. Steve Harrington, you naughty boy."

"Uh, they're not mine," Steve blushed.

"Yeah, sure, okkkay. Oh! A book about cats solving mysteries! Yes!" Eddie said.

"I actually just picked that up from a thrift store," Steve said. "Haven't read it yet."

"Purrrfect."

He crawled into bed next to Steve and leaned against the headboard as he cracked open the book. He pulled Steve to his chest and began to read. A moment later, Robin came to check on them and popped her head into Steve’s room. She smiled. They were fast asleep in each other's arms. Her best friend was in good hands. Robin turned and started heading back downstairs.

"I guess this means that I'll be looking after the kids," she muttered.

[spinningwebsandtales]

Imagine the Trigun Guys Carrying You After Spraining Your Ankle

(A/N:) I got this idea after seeing some adorable fanart and I wanted to give all the Trigun Stampede guys some attention. Cause I know how it is being a fangirl and not having a lot of different options for my favorite characters that normally go on the back burner. So this is for you cause I’m including Roberto and Knives for y’all! Until next time happy reading! ~Countess

Vash the Stampede X FemReader

Vash was watching the horizon carefully, looking out for anything dangerous or welcoming towns. The sun was harsher than normal so you found yourself lagging behind. You would have thought you would have been use to Noman’s Land’s harsh environment but your staggering steps said otherwise. Your chalky tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth and your clothes were drenched with sweat. You felt lucky to have Vash around as you would be dead a hundred times over if he hadn’t stepped in and saved you that fateful day. Now you found yourself attached to the man labeled The Humanoid Typhoon as he quickly became special to you. You liked to think you were special to him as well. Vash seemed to be lost in thought or he would have waited a moment longer so you could catch up. Lagging behind further you started up the dune Vash had already climbed halfway up. You huffed, not wanting to be defeated by some stupid sand dune. You had made good progress as you stubbornly refused to give up when your foot planted in a soft spot of the dune. Quickly the ground gave way leaving you pinwheeling your arms to gain your balance back. You steadied yourself for one second when the rest of the dune gave way. Your ankle rolled from the falling sand and down you went tumbling back down the dune.

Vash heard your scream before he could hear your body crashing down. His eyes widened in horror watching you roll and tumble uncontrollably back down. He didn’t waste a second, sliding down the crumbling dune to catch you before you hit the hard ground. You grunted as his grip on your arm stretched your joints but you were thankful he caught you before you shattered your head on the unforgiving rocks below.

“Are you okay,” Vash panted while he checked you over thoroughly.

Despite the blood trickling from some small gashes you felt fine. Your breathing was beginning to calm down from the ordeal but Vash had a look of guilt on his face.

“I think so,” you replied. “It was scary more than anything. You saved me and my brains from being scattered across Noman’s Land.” 

You chuckled but Vash didn’t find it funny as he held onto you tighter.

“I’m sorry I pushed you so hard. It’s my fault you got hurt.”

You sighed, “It’s not your fault. I’m just clumsy sometimes, I’m human I’m going to fall down sometimes. I just gotta get back up.”

You wiggled free from his grasp, rising up from the ground only to topple back down into Vash’s lap as your ankle wouldn’t hold you up.

“Okayyy I can’t get up this time,” you joked. “I guess I sprained my ankle when the sand gave way. You can go on without me and find a town. Surely I can hold out the rest of the day until you can bring help.”

Vash wordlessly stood up, you knew that it was the smart decision. You were a little scared to be left alone but you couldn’t ask Vash to drag you along when you can’t even put weight on your injured leg. Thinking he was about the turn and walk on, you were left speechless when Vash bent down and scooped you up.

“Wha?! Vash what are you doing?! I’m too heavy put me down,” you screeched.

Vash shushed you, “You’re not too heavy and I’m not leaving you here alone. I’ll carry you all the way until we find a place to get you taken care of. I promise.”

Knowing he had made up his mind, you held onto Vash’s coat collar watching the scenery pass you by. This was the Vash you knew and loved. You never wanted to leave his side or stop being there for him. It was only fair that he returned the favor sometimes, though you didn’t want to burden him.

Nicholas D Wolfwood X FemReader

Nicholas had never thought he could become attached to someone like he was towards you. He had become your protector of sorts as you both trekked across the unforgiving terrain that made up Noman’s Land. When you both had first met he was aloof and kept to himself. He only really started to open up when he found out what kind of person you are. You didn’t judge him about his job or the fact that he had been an experiment for the Eye of Michael cult. Though him smoking you couldn’t let that one go as you scolded him every time he lit another cigarette.

So on the trip to the next town over, Nicholas found himself pushing harder to get there. He was tired of sleeping out in the desert and he was ready for a bed to sleep in and good food in his stomach. Worms could only get you so far, though he didn’t mind eating them. He just didn’t want to hear you whine about crunching on the nasty looking critters. Though he did get some enjoyment of the disgust and whining as he shoved the worms at you.

‘C’mon girlie I caught this one especially for you,” he would coo.

“Ew no thanks,” you would reply.

Nicholas chuckled at the memory while looking back at your lagging form. The sun was sapping your energy as it was at it’s highest peak in the sky. While he wore black and carried a heavy machine gun, no ordinary man should lug around, Nicholas was able to deal with the harsh environment better than you. You kept complaints to a minimum because you knew Nicholas would get annoyed easily. He’s protective of you but he still has his limits and you didn’t want left alone on a dune while he cooled off. 

“It won’t be much longer and we’ll be at the next town,” he said gesturing for you to pick it up a little.

“Good I’m getting sick of this desert wasteland,” you grumbled.

Nicholas chuckled, “That’s the whole planet sweets better get used to it. We just have to cross a few more dunes and we’ll be there.”

Nicholas was climbing one of the first dunes like it was nothing. You geared yourself up for the climb grumbling the whole way.

“I don’t wanna get used to it,” you huffed stomping your foot on the sand. Nicholas opened his mouth to reply and tease you more when your eyes widened. The sand under your feet starting to cave away. You fell backwards twisting one of your ankles and you would have tumbled the whole way down if it wasn’t for Nicholas’ fast reflexes. His cross thrown to the side, he bolted forward, grabbing your wrist and tugging you back to the safety of the more solid sand. You buried your face into his chest, trembling from almost potentially getting hurt worse.

“Are you okay,” he panted tucking your hair behind your ear while checking you over.

“I think so,” you quivered. “My ankle stings pretty bad.”

“Let’s see if you can put any weight on it,” he answered helping you back up. “Upsy daisy.”

You laughed at his choice of words before the pain of weight bearing on your ankle made you hiss in pain and crumple back down.

“I’m sorry,” you were on the verge of tears, “it hurts too bad.”

Nicholas nodded already prepared with what he needed to do. He wasn’t going to leave you out here by yourself. Not with so many threats that prowled the sandy planet. He wordlessly strapped the cross to his back. You couldn’t say anything as you felt horrible that you were becoming such a problem for him. You watched a few rogue tears slip free to fall on the sand when a pair of arms scooped you up. Nicholas wordlessly held you to his chest as he started across the desert sands again.

“Nicholas what are you doing?!”

“Carrying you,” he replied. “No way I’m leaving you alone while I go get help.”

“I’m too heavy and we’re so far from the next town,” you protested.

“I’ll rest when I need to. I’m used to lugging this big thing around you’re nothing to carry.”

“But.”

He cut you off with one look and you wordlessly quieted any arguments that was left on your lips. Nicholas effortlessly carrying you across the desert sands like a black clothed hero.

Roberto De Niro X FemReader

Roberto always kept one pace when it came to do anything, and that was his pace. He never went faster or slower for anyone. Even when it came to you and you liked to think that he liked you at least a little bit. But now you found yourself taking the lead as you both had to make the trek to the next town. The vehicle’s battery had died in the middle of the hottest time of day and you were ready to get to your destination as that meant water and power. Roberto lagged behind, content on going his own speed while smoking and drinking booze along the way. It didn’t matter that you scolded him that alcohol would just make him dehydrate faster, it just made him take a big swig just to spite you. You glared but turned around to focus back on where you were headed.

“That way sweetheart,” Roberto burped and pointed towards the East.

“I know that,” you huffed before changing directions. Your cheeks flushing red at the nickname he had started to call you a few weeks ago. “And my name isn’t sweetheart.”

“Whatever you say sweetheart.”

You grunted, knowing that any argument would just make him want to call you that worse. So wordlessly you started in the direction he told you. Still leading the way you wanted to converse with Roberto but he wasn’t much for conversation and you usually wound up wanting to argue or push him off a cliff. So you stubbornly remained silent, starting the climb up a tall dune. Since climbing was slowing you down, Roberto was right at your back making his way. You still didn’t speak, just ready to get to safety and get the vehicle you both had to leave behind. Maybe get some water and food while you both waited for help. You daydreamed of clean water and something warm and filling, your mouth beginning to water. You didn’t watch where you were stepping, your mind in the clouds. Your ankle twisted causing you to yelp and tumble backwards. Fortunately for you Roberto was still behind you as he caught you easily. He grunted at the sudden weight but took it easily, steadying you back on your feet. You stumbled immediately as your ankle couldn’t take the weight.

“You okay sweetheart,” he asked before looking at your swelling ankle in concern.

“I think I sprained it,” you hissed trying to hide the tears welling in your eyes. Roberto didn’t say anything else, just went into action by putting your arm around his shoulders and lugging you up into his side. With your weight on him you were able to make it the rest of the way up the dune before collapsing to the ground. You panted wiping the sweat from your brow. You couldn’t even argue about him calling you sweetheart again as he had helped you up. You weren’t expecting Roberto to squat down close to you, his green eyes searching your wounded ankle. You hissed as he prodded it and nodding his head. He wordlessly tore some of his shirt into strips.

“Roberto,” you started.

He shushed you picking up your leg with one hand and placing it on his thigh. You blushed deeply as he gently caressed your leg and wrapped up your ankle with the strips of fabric.

“It’s not professional but it’ll get you to our destination where a doctor can look at it,” Roberto said tying off the last strip. He patted his hand against your skin and you squeaked. “Let’s get going,” he said offering you his hand.

Once again you were lifted up with Roberto placing your arm across his shoulders again. He made sure to go your pace this time, helping you walk across the desert and never leaving your side.

Millions Knives X FemReader

Knives always kept you at arms length, so you were certain that he felt nothing for you. It didn’t matter if you tagged along or not as he went town to town stealing plants. It was a surprise to all his underlings that he had yet to dispose of you. You didn’t get your hopes up that Knives felt anything for you, your best case scenario was that you were a useful bug and that’s why he kept you around. Another plant mission came around and it was proving difficult enough that Knives was having to go take care of it himself. You were brought along by his wishes. You didn’t understand why, you just knew that he asked and you couldn’t say no.

It made sense that he would leave you behind as Knives was quicker and you were left to trudge all alone trying your best to keep up. You were beginning to wonder if you were just a form of entertainment and a terrible joke to him and the Eye of Michael. You watched Knives’ form grow smaller and smaller before pausing to take a rest. Maybe it would just be easier to be left for dead in the desert anyway as you were tired of trying to find what purpose you had in this cruel world. You stood atop a dune, questioning your entire existence when a worm breached the sand. The huge beast shattering the earth and the dune you found yourself on. Your legs gave way as you fell down. At the bottom you became half buried in the sand, so much that you couldn’t move. You couldn’t have walked even if you wanted to, now that one of your ankles were badly sprained. So you laid in the hot sun waiting for the end to come.

Nightfall came to Noman’s Land and you were still stuck, you had gone through different spells of screaming for help and quiet acceptance. On the verge of passing out, you watched the worms dance across the sky. 

“What happened to you?”

You looked around for the familiar voice before you finally spotted him. Knives knelt down by your head stroking a lock of hair away from your eyes.

“The dune I climbed got destroyed by a worm,” you answered. “Why did you come back for me?”

“I honestly can’t answer that question even to myself,” he sighed rolling his blue eyes. “When I thought about it I couldn’t leave you behind.”

You couldn’t say anything as you were at a loss for words. So you just laid there ankle throbbing unbearably before you felt Knives’ blades moving through the sand and wrapping you in the cool metal. He carefully pulled you from the heavy sand, nestling you against his chest.

“Hang on tight,” he spoke while you grabbed at his cloak. Though still confused on the way he felt about you, there was a little hope that you meant more to Knives than he actually let on.

[blank-slate-jay]

Secret Admirer

Joel Miller X Male!Reader

Word Count: 1.3K

Summary: Joel just met you and can’t keep his eyes off of you

A/N: Super busy lately, here's something a little short while working on some of my other Joel fics! Hope you enjoy!

Again he was on you, looking over you like you were some rare specimen; someone you’d rarely come across.

He couldn’t figure out what it was about you. Whether it was the way you carried yourself or the way you talked with Ellie, was intriguing to say the least. Only a day or two had passed of traveling to the Firefly statehouse base, and Joel was already feeling something for you. Some guy he knew very little of, other than you being a Firefly.

He had to be crazy. Being interested in someone so quickly, someone who was following a delusional group who tried ‘finding the light’ when you’re lost in the dark. He felt pity for you, and the girl too, wondering why you’d put your faith in them.

“You trying to tear into his pants or something?"

Joel’s eyes rip away from your lower half. He makes eye contact with Tess, who was walking beside him, his eyes furrowing at the sudden comment. He doesn’t keep his gaze on her long as he looks back ahead, making sure you nor Ellie heard her remark. “No.”

“I saw the way you were looking at him,” Tess implies.

Joel just shakes his head, trying to play it off as if he wasn’t looking in the first place. She wasn't stupid, both her and Joel had known each other for a long time. If anyone knew what was going through Joel's head it would be her. "Let's just stay focused. We need to stay alert for any infected." Joel wasn't fully wrong if it weren't for the fact that he was being a hypocrite.

Tess hums, "We should," putting a higher emphasis on her last word. It wasn't fully toward herself but rather to Joel. It was a moment for him to snap out of his fixation on you, to remind himself of the task they had ahead.

Transfer you and Ellie to the Fireflies, and he'd be awarded a vehicle and supplies.

It was everything he needed to finally get to Tommy. Thinking about his brother and what he was fighting for, made Tess's words strike him where it needed.

He wish it went that way, but things didn't play out the way he wanted.

Sometime later the group were continuing down the nature infested highway, finding multiple trucks lined up blocking the path forward. This didn't stop them from scaling the vehicles. Joel went first, with the help of you and Tess, they boost the man up til he grapples the the sides. Pulling himself up, he gets a view of the remaining highway. From the looks of it, everything looked clear and he notifies the others.

You help boost Ellie up til she's grabbed by Joel and do the same for Tess as well. You still remaining, jump up as high as you could, being pulled up by Joel and Tess until you were all on the same level.

Tess casually releases your hand, turning around to face the direction they were headed. Joel does the same too, his grip loosening hesitantly until he pulls away.

"Thanks", you said letting your arm drop to your side.

Joel just nods, looking down as you pass by him. He lingers too long with his hand, rubbing his thumb across his palm, almost like he wanted to feel it wrapped in his own again. He looked to you, standing next to Tess as she points ahead.

“We’ll cut off at the drop off point, should get us back on route.” Tess relays.

You nod along with Ellie, dropping down first so that Ellie had someone to catch her on the way down. You did so, preventing the girl from spraining her ankle. Tess drops while you finish helping Ellie, leaving Joel as the last one.

You offer to help him down, sticking your hand out is if the man needed immediate assistance.

“I got it,” he declines your aid, keeping his voice monotone.

You let the man be, stepping back some to give him room. He slips off the edges hitting the ground with a groan. His knees were not in they’re prime, slightly worn out due to his age. Bending down he grabs and squeezes them to ease the soreness. He could still see your silhouette, standing idle for…him?

The man tilts his head in your direction, confusion washing over him. “You don’t have to wait for me.”

“You’ll be left behind though”, you say looking over your shoulder at the girls who were some yards away. Turning back to him, you notice his pained expression, “Is your leg alright? I have some painkillers if you need some.”

Stop. Stop. Stop it. He wanted to tell you to shut up, he wanted to tell you off. There was no way you, a stranger, were this considerate for someone like him; a man who had a gun to your leader, Marlene. You had to be doing this to get something out of him, you had to. Joel was trying to convince himself of that, cause no way anyone in this world was senselessly kind. Good people died two decades ago.

The man stares at you, reading between your eyes to see if there was some malicious intent behind them. Nope, none, all he saw was someone who was genuinely trying to help. Realizing this, he pulls himself together and stands up straight, "I'm fine".

You watch as the man tightens his rifle over his shoulders before nodding, "Alright". You turn, and continue down the road. Followed by Joel who stayed some feet behind you.

With Tess in front with Ellie, there was no one around to point out Joel's gaze. He catches himself staring at you longer than he should, looking away like someone was watching him. The silence didn't help either, Ellie and Tess's distance chattering barely did him any favors.

Maybe small talk wouldn't hurt, being on good terms with a firefly might make their trade with the outpost that much easier. The man was kidding himself, surely.

"Where you from," he started, catching you off guard.

You turn your head to him, "Hmm?"

Joel repeats himself, "Where you from?"

"Oh.." you murmur. You answered, receiving a nod from him as a response. Joel falls quiet, not being the best at carrying out a conversation. You on the other hand kept things rolling, "What about you?"

"Texas."

You pursed your lips, "Figured." The man raised an eyebrow, "It's the accent.” you assure him. “So were you like…a cowboy back then? Do you ‘yeehaw’ whenever your on a horse," you smile attempting to make the conversation somewhat engaging. All you got was Joel’s expressionless face, either he had no sense of humor or he refused to cave into your banter.

You turn your gaze away from him, the awkwardness gets the better of you. Sighing you wanted to cool the tension. You whisper, “tough crowd.”

Joel simply squints at you. He notices you talked the same way with Ellie as you did with him. Just freeing, and openly, like no care in the world. To him it was more weird than anything, with that kind of openness you could get yourself killed. But on the other hand, that kind of behavior draws people in. That was probably what was happening, mixed in with how good you looked, he almost felt it was a trap of some kind.

Joel reflected on it, all the way until the 4 of you were standing atop of a building; the sun shining upon you all. With Ellie standing to his left and you on the other side of her, he pictured it, being together. It was a quick flash in his mind, but it still hit like a truck. To have a family again, he’d kill for it.

Tess informs the group to follow her, as she descends a rough ladder. You and Ellie follow, leaving Joel behind. He gazes down at his watch, pondering on it momentarily, did you really have to part ways? So soon?

[tdickbuckley]

I LOVE the “am I homophobic” trope, please can I have some of it ? 🙏🏼😊

I'm actually so proud of this fic so I will gladly share some more. It's a bit of a long snippet because there were several lines I wanted to show

So, he sighed and shook his head, “No, this is important. I need to process this, figure out what’s going on.”

Frank smiled at him, “Well, if you need to stop at any time we can. I don’t want to push you.” At Eddie’s short nod, he continued. “So if you’re not jealous of his relationship, maybe you’re jealous of Buck. You’ve been hanging out with Tommy a lot and Buck swooped in and stole him from you. Maybe you feel left out.”

Eddie snorted, “No, Buck’s the one that sprained my ankle because he was upset I was hanging out with Tommy. Granted apparently that was because he wanted to kiss Tommy so badly it made him stupid.”

Frank raised an eyebrow, “He sprained… You know what, I don’t think I want to know.”

Frank made a note in his little notebook. Eddie wondered if maybe he was reminding himself never to take Buck on as a client. He couldn’t blame the guy. The inner workings of Buck’s mind were an enigma.

“Could it be because you want to kiss Tommy?”

Eddie blinked, processing the question. Kiss Tommy? Why would he kiss Tommy? That made no sense. “Tommy is cool and all, but he’s not… I’m not…”

“Not what?” When Eddie didn’t answer, Frank pressed on. “Not into him? Not gay?”

Eddie went to speak, went to tell Frank that he wasn’t gay. How could he be gay? He’d had a wife, had a son with said wife. He’s had girlfriends, for god’s sake. Not that any of those relationships worked out. They never worked out. Why didn’t they work out?

Bisexual, his mind reminded him. That’s what Buck is. He likes men and women. Has been with women.

But that didn’t feel right, either. The word felt like a coat that didn’t fit right. One where the arms were just a little too tight and if you moved the wrong way, the seams would burst.

wip game

[whumpbug]

whumperless whump event day 19: the whump morning after! @whumperless-whump-event

tending to injuries / domestic hurt comfort / “let's check the bandages, okay?”

see this post for character information!

caretaker: Simon

whumpee: Archie

guys. it's here. i can't explain why but i think this is my favorite simon and archie fic i've written and i literally wrote it the week after i made them so PLS ENJOY!!

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

“Ow ow ow! Fuck!”

“Easy, easy! Jeez Archie, relax, would you? Are you trying to run a marathon or something?”

“I have to pee!”

Simon pinched the bridge of his nose and huffed.

“We’ll take it slow. The last thing we need is you popping a stitch because you're rushing it. That cut was a pain in the ass to suture.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever. Just help me? Please?”

Simon sighed.

Patrol nights were always rough on Archie. At least during the fights, he was always too hopped up on adrenaline to notice how injured he really was, and he usually conked out before Simon finished patching him up.

The mornings, however, were unrelenting. 

Every ache, bruise, slash and sprain from the night before now made itself very apparent, and Archie wasn’t able to ignore it.

As for this particular night, it had been a pretty rough fight between Archie and some lackies from a well-known drug operation he had been trying to dismantle. They were dosed on strength enhancers that rivaled Archie’s own abilities, and while he came out on top, it definitely wasn’t an easy fight.

Now, he was sporting a black eye, several broken ribs, a knife wound to the gut, a sprained ankle, a mild concussion, and a mosaic of bruises all over his body.

Rough night indeed.

“Alright, let’s get you up then,” Simon bent down and wrapped his arm under Archie’s. Archie braced as Simon started to guide him up, grunting sharply when they started to move from the couch.

“Go slower.”

“And here I thought you were about to piss yourself.”

“Just go!”

He grit his teeth against the all-consuming jolt of pain that overtook his body. God, the morning after really did suck.

“Alright alright, almost there..” Simon soothed, taking a bit more of his weight. “Just a little more..”

After a ridiculous amount of time, they were both finally standing. Archie was heavily favoring his left ankle as he began his hobble to the bathroom door with Simon’s help. Every step was agony.

“Alright, I’ll be fine from here,” He stated with a wince. He waved Simon away from the hallway, but Simon.. didn’t move.

“Nuh uh. No way. The last time I left you on your own, you fell and cracked your head on the bathtub. I’m waiting right here in the hall.”

“Ew, no! That’s weird! Go away!”

“It’s only weird because you’re making it weird. You forget I’m literally in school to do this for a living. This is strictly professional.”

“Whatever. Weirdo.”

“Strictly. Professional.”

Archie shot Simon a weak scowl as he shut the restroom door behind him.

Simon waited awkwardly for a few moments before he heard a zip, a flush, and the whoosh of the faucet. 

Archie merged from the bathroom, looking absolutely unsteady on his wobbling legs. He was just about to pitch forward when Simon closed the distance between them, slipping an arm around Archie’s waist. “Alright. Back to the couch we go.”

It took another eternity, but finally, Archie was lying down again, significantly paler than when he had started. 

“This sucks.” He whined, breathing deeply through his nose as the aftershocks of pain reverberated through his bones.

“Yeah, well, maybe you should think about that before you try to take on six guys that are three times your size,” Simon retorted, replacing the ice pack on Archie’s ribs. “That was the most stupid thing I’ve seen you do in a while, and I’ve seen you do some pretty stupid things.”

Archie would have crossed his arms indignantly if he could.

“You should have seen the other guys..” He muttered under his breath, rather childishly.

Still, despite his banter, the way sweat was beading on Archie’s brow and the way his face was void of all color was not lost on Simon.

“Hey, let’s check those bandages, okay? I think you might have popped a stitch after all.”

“I did not. I would know.”

“You absolutely wouldn’t. Lift your shirt.”

Archie rolled his eyes and slowly lifted the fabric to reveal… a bright red stain on the gauze.

He didn’t have to look at Simon to know the kind of smirk he was sporting.

Simon made quick work of replacing the suture and re-wrapping the wound. His hands worked deftly and with a practiced manner that Archie found himself feeling.. saddened by. He couldn’t quite explain it. It was more of the realization that Simon had been doing this for a while, enough that it was second nature, and Archie had done.. well, nearly nothing for him. He had yet to repay him for his undying generosity.

“Simon..” He began. His voice faltered the slightest bit. “Do you.. ever get tired of.. this.” He motioned vaguely to himself.

At the sudden change in conversation, a mixture of anger, hurt, and surprise flashed across Simon’s face. 

“What do you mean?”

“I just mean.. well..” Archie swallowed the lump in his throat and averted his gaze. “This can’t be fun for you. You come back from classes, from work, probably exhausted, and have to deal with me. I just.. I don’t want you to think you have to do it. I’ll be fine on my own if you don't want to. You’ve taught me enough that I--”

“Archie. Look at me.”

Archie drew his gaze up and met Simon’s unwavering eyes. 

“Listen to me. I don’t ever want you to think I am just dealing with you. I do this because I genuinely want to. Nobody is forcing me, I’m doing it because you deserve it. Archie, I know I don’t say it a lot, but you do so much to help others,” He said breathlessly, taking Archie hand and holding it tightly. “You deserve someone that will do the same for you.”

Suddenly, Archie found himself scrubbing viciously at traitorous tears that spilled over. Before he could say anything else, Simon pulled him into an embrace. It was the kind of hug that cradles every part of your soul, every part of your being.

He wept openly in Simon’s arms.

“You’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not,” He hummed, rubbing Archie’s back and pulling away slowly.

“So you’d better start learning how to dodge.”

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

[undreaming-fanfiction]

With This Ring (3)

(part two HERE, Ao3 link to the fic HERE)

“Why Harrington…you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” 

Steve opened his mouth, then promptly closed it. There wasn't much to say that he could articulate and he didn't feel like screaming that fine evening, well, maybe a little, but Eddie could take offense at that. Don't offend the walking dead guy sounded like a reasonable precaution.

"I don't know, man," he croaked out, mustering a barely visible smile. "You seem too corporeal for a ghost."

Eddie snorted and for a second, Steve could forget what he was dealing with, because Eddie's smile was still mischievous and his laugh, while still a bit rough, sounded genuine. "Shit. True, let me fix that. You look like you've seen a zombie, Harrington."

Shaking his head, Steve attempted to properly sit up and cursed when he put pressure on his ankle. He'd forgotten about the stupid injury for a moment, more focused on the whole Eddie buried in the woods and suddenly walking around and conversing thing, but now the pain came back with vengeance. "That zombie's going to have a free dinner ticket here," he choked out as he inspected his foot. Didn't seem broken, but sprained...sure.

He wiggled around on the ground, trying to find a way to get back on his feet without feeling like something was breaking his foot in half, but failing miserably. And yeah, maybe he should have been a bit more concerned about the literal undead guy standing over him, but Steve was a practical man. Focus on what you can resolve and all that. 

Looking up at Eddie who was watching him with a slight amused smirk, he pointed at himself. “Well? Are you going to eat me or what?” 

Another snort. “Don’t flatter yourself, Harrington. No matter what my reputation is, I wouldn’t eat just anyone, even if they’re sprawled in front of me like the most pathetic stingray in existence.” 

“Stingray?!” Steve spat out. 

Eddie nodded and descended into a squat to look Steve in the eye, well, as much as they could see in the growing darkness and through Eddie’s messy mane. “Yup. Flat and flapping around. Very much a stingray. Now, Harrington…even with your limited belief in the supernatural, I assume you do know that raising the dead comes with a cost.” 

“I’m so sorry.” 

The dark eyes blinked in confusion. “Excuse me, what?” 

Steve shuffled closer to Eddie, which might not have been the greatest idea he’d ever had, but now that the adrenaline was slowly fading, the gravity of his situation felt like his stomach was full of cold lead. “I didn’t know,” he blurted out and it sounded more like a sob, something too painful to keep in. “I thought, I hoped that you’d be safe, that you finally got your wish and made it out of this shitty town. I imagined that…that one day I’d hear your music on the radio and I’d know for sure, but even until then, I just…I thought you were safe!” 

His breathing was coming out shorter and shorter and wasn’t that just hilarious, getting all choked up in front of a reanimated corpse of his former friend. But running wasn’t an option anyway, and Steve just found it so unfair because Eddie used to be so full of life and promise, so bright and now...

“Hey, Steve. It’s fine, really.” Eddie’s voice was gentler now, more familiar, and that made Steve’s breathing even more shaky. “Shit, you’re…look, you really need to breathe, like, now? Please?” 

Steve was inhaling the cool evening air as much as he could, but his lungs wouldn’t cooperate, as if they refused to take what they needed. “…am…trying!” he wheezed out, but his lips were heavy and getting more difficult to move each second. 

He had never fainted twice in the same day. So maybe he’d experience something new. Apart from meeting a living corpse, of course. 

The said corpse was panicking, it seemed. His cold, dirt-covered hands were shaking Steve’s shoulders now. “Shit, look, Steve, I swear it’s not that lonely, I don’t need the company so just…inhale, exhale, all that good stuff, yeah? Don’t…just don’t suffocate. This grave ain’t big enough for the two of us and…hey, Steve?! Steve!”   

But Steve didn’t hear him anymore. With a whooshing in his ears that sounded very much like a descending murder of crows, Steve’s world disappeared into darkness. 

When he came to, he was sitting in an eerily lit bar, well, more like half-laying on the floor. Someone had been kind enough to stuff an old pillow – mostly eaten through, but still comfortable - under his head. What a fucked-up dream that was. Whatever it was that he’d drunk, it was way stronger than his usual choices. I’m never drinking again. 

And then he saw a familiar figure crouched on the ground, talking to…someone? He couldn’t really see, he was still dizzy, but he tried to clear his head and listen. 

“…a magnificent idea, Eddie. He gets all freaked out because you’re dead and what do you do to help him? You bring him here. To the land of the dead.” 

The voice was annoyed and something felt off about it, but he seemed reasonable enough. Whatever the invisible man was talking about, it sounded right. Except the whole land of the dead thing. And…

And Eddie being dead. 

Steve shot up from the ground and regretted it immediately. His ankle exploded with pain and he had to grasp the edges of the bar to keep himself upright. 

“Hey, young man, careful! That looks like a nasty sprain!” someone said. Steve was so relieved to hear another human being, he turned towards the voice and-

“…Bob?” 

Bob Newby smiled at him, kind and lopsided as always. Except his t-shirt was black with crusted blood, and he was pale, almost blue. “Hi, Steve. Long time no see.” Snapping his fingers – oh god, his left hand was mostly bone, he reached for a bar stool. “Sit down. You can’t put any weight on that foot, at least not until I find a bandage and compress that. It would be better if you could lie down, but at least for now don’t move too much.” 

 Steve just stared at him, familiar and foreign at the same time. He´d known Bob Newby for ages, they weren’t close, but Bob would always recommend the best technology for when Steve had still been brave enough to record his music. “You’ll love this one, Steve, the sound is really much more vibrant,” he’d wink at younger Steve Harrington. “Oh, and I got you a shoe box. An empty one, to carry it home. I know it’s not exactly…well. We all have hobbies we don’t want to share with the world, right? Or at least with some people in it.”

Bob Newby had been dead for two years now. He was mauled by a huge feral dog that attacked young Will Byers and his friends near the junkyard. Bob died a hero – with strength no one knew he possessed, he fought off the aggressive animal long enough for the kids to escape and lock themselves inside an old bus. They saw things they never should have seen, but at least they were alive. 

Steve didn’t want to think about that day, about how he decided to go on a long walk to clear his head after the breakup with Nancy. About how he came across Bob’s body and six terrified voices screaming at him, muffled behind the glass window. About how he heard snarling, how he grabbed the closest thing next to him – a metal rod, rusted but still firm – and smashed the dog’s face in. 

He didn’t want to think about the look on Bob’s bloodied face, pained but also triumphant. 

Bob was unfazed by his silence. He had procured a bandage from somewhere and started wrapping Steve’s ankle with practiced ease. “I hear you avenged me and saved the kids,” he smiled. “I believe thanks are in order.” 

Steve huffed in bitter laughter. “I don’t know about that. If I hadn’t spent half an hour moping about my ex-girlfriend, things would have been different.” 

There it was, that kind smile again. “Sure would be. Maybe I’d still be alive. Or maybe it would have also got you. Then Will and the other children. Ifs don’t help anyone, Steve, so how about you accept the praise where it’s due? You can’t save everyone.” 

It should have been comforting, but the words felt like a punch in the gut. “It feels like I can’t save anyone,” he admitted, more to himself than to Bob. “You from that beast, Nancy from her own family and from myself, Eddie…”

Eddie. 

Bob playfully slapped his calf when he twitched, attempting to stand up. “Patience, Steve. You don’t want to join us here yet, I hope? So let me finish treating your ankle, then you can hop off. But to calm you down...Eddie? Your breathing friend is up.” 

Steve didn’t dare to turn around, but the panicked shuffling and muffled “oh shit. Shitshitshit. Shit shit” gave him a good idea of Eddie’s mental state, and he had to admit, it felt good to be the calm one for once. 

He more felt than saw Eddie saunter towards the old bar, leaning against it behind Bob with a feigned nonchalance. Steve knew that posture all too well, from all the times Eddie was a bundle of nerves but putting on a brave front. “Howdy,” he saluted Steve. He’d tried to clean up a little – rubbing his eyes until he created muddy panda circles around them, removing some smaller roots from his hair and dusting off his vest. It was equally endearing and hilarious. 

Steve opened his mouth to speak, but someone else made it before him. 

“Smooth.” 

The bored voice came from behind Steve. Or more precisely...from behind the bar? 

Eddie snorted and tapped the wooden surface. “If you want to talk, have some manners and get up here.” 

“Easy to say for you, these bones are old. Hey Benny, help me up?” 

Benny – god, another name that rang in Steve’s head with painful familiarity – turned around and shot an amused look towards the ground. “One day I’ll make you your own tiny staircase,” he grumbled and reached down, lifting up…

…a cat. 

No, not any cat. It was black, with greying fur around its muzzle, mostly black except for a greyish triangle near its tail. Steve knew this cat well – he scratched it, no, him, for hours when visiting Mrs. Henderson and her son, Dustin. 

Dart turned his head to the side and nodded. “Hi.” 

Steve raised his hand and slowly waved. “…hi.” He half-expected someone to say something because…the cat talked. He was pretty sure cats weren’t supposed to do that. “Uh…” 

The cat rolled his eyes, if that was even possible. “Yeah, cats talk and the dead have their own bar, keep up. You also fainted when Eddie performed that wonderfully dramatic number for you.” He shot a nasty look at the dead man. 

Eddie couldn’t blush, no blood and all, but he had the decency to look ashamed. “Sorry,” he whispered towards Steve’s injured ankle. 

“You should be,” said Dart and Eddie grew an inch shorter under his critical gaze. “You had it all planned out, you had the perfect opportunity and what do you do? You go all zombie-like on him. If I were Steve, I wouldn’t even want to hear your proposal.” 

“Proposal?” Steve blinked in confusion between Dart and Eddie. “I’m pretty sure it was me who accidentally proposed? I guess…yeah, Eddie still has the ring, so why should he have to propose?” 

Bob finally finished wrapping Steve’s ankle in bandages, and rose to his feet. “You’re engaged? Congratulations!” 

Eddie fiddled with the ring on his finger. “Uh, yeah. So that part? Totally unplanned. Actually, also illegal for us to get married. Twice illegal. Man and man, dead and not dead. So…I’m actually keeping the ring for bargaining purposes.” 

Dart stabbed him with another deadly stare. “You. Could. Have. Just. ASKED.” 

“Doing that now.” For someone who always claimed to be as direct as humanly possible, Eddie was stalling, wringing his hands and staring anywhere else but Steve. “So…uh. Harrington. Not that you especially liked me when I was alive and I guess I didn’t become more charming by dying. But still. You brought me back, you’re just a little bit responsible for disturbing my resting place. And I will forgive you for that and calmly crawl back into the ground…for a price.” 

“A price?” Maybe Steve was as obtuse as they said, but what good would money do in the world of dead? 

Eddie nodded, still hypnotizing Steve’s gradually swelling ankle. “Yep. Price. Not…monetary, no. But I need your help with something. So, a small service from you and I will go back where I belong. And you get this back.” Wiggling his finger, the ring caught light from the dim bar lightbulbs. “So, do we have a deal?” 

Steve nodded almost instantly. “Sure.” 

“And before you say no, you should kn- wait, what?” Eddie’s eyes snapped back to Steve’s face. “Uh. Sorry, there might still be some dirt in my ears.”

Dart laid his paw onto Eddie’s shoulder and slowly extended his claws. “Take the yes and shut up, Eddie.” 

The dark eyes narrowed at the claws. “You know I don’t feel pain.” 

“So you won’t mind me meowling on your grave every single night for the rest of your undead existence?” 

Eddie flinched. “You monster.” 

But Dart just rolled his eyes and returned back to Steve, gesturing at him to provide ear scratches. Flabbergasted, Steve obliged. 

“So, Steve,” started Dart and turned his head towards Steve’s hand, “the thing is…to the left, yes, thank you…this isn’t the proper afterlife, as you might have guessed. This place would be way too crowded. So everyone here waits for something. Has something tying them to the mortal world.” 

Did Steve imagine it or was Eddie slowly shrinking under Dart’s critical gaze? 

“Some just wait for their loved ones to reunite. Some just need to process their anger or grief before they go. And some, Edward Theodore Munson, are utterly, hopelessly and stupidly stubborn!” he growled. 

Yep, Eddie was definitely shrinking. 

“See, some of our residents just have grandiose plans and they decide that they’re not going anywhere before they fulfill them. And no, they don’t let anyone local help them. Because it needs to be perrrfect.” Another growl, another twitch in Eddie’s eyebrow. “So here we are, facing a dilemma. Either Eddie stays here forever and drives everyone crazy with his bitching and moaning, or you step in, save the day and save his soul and everyone’s who has to deal with his constant complaints.” 

Steve didn’t dare to stop the movement of his fingers, not until asked. “I already agreed,” he reminded both of them. “What do I have to do?” 

Dart blinked at Eddie. “Cat got your tongue? Wasn’t me, I swear.” 

The dead man snorted. “Right. So, you might remember…I used to play. The piano, I mean. And the guitar and more, but this is about the piano. And I also put together some music of my own.”

Steve’s heart clenched painfully at the memory. “As if I could ever forget.” As if I could forget the days when I felt like myself for once. 

“Yeah, so…I can’t leave before making sure the music outlasts me. I don’t…I used to have this big, big plan. Record what I have and send it to one guy from Indy I knew. He saw potential in me, told me so right before…yeah.” 

“But…” Steve’s tongue was heavy all of a sudden, stumbling over his words. “You were brilliant. Why don’t you record it yourself? Or is it about technology and stuff? I can get you that.” 

Eddie chuckled with all the bitterness in the world. “Yeah, well. Let’s just say that I tried. I tried and tried and fucking tried, but you know what? It’s just not right.” 

“What do you mean? Because I remember you playing and…I don’t think anyone could get it done better than you, Eddie.” 

Dart sighed and pawed at Steve’s hand, finally letting him rest. “What he means is that dead bodies aren’t really known for their flexibility and dexterity, Steve,” he clarified. “Eddie has been practicing for months now, day and night in this bar. Everyone thinks it’s perfect.” 

“Everyone but him,” Steve guessed and Dart gave him an understanding look. One more memory, Eddie playing in the music room in their school until his fingers hurt, wanting to try just one more time, just that one section that isn’t right, not yet. 

Eddie waved his hand, scoffing. “Oh give me a break. If I’m to follow the light, go to the other side or whatever you want to call it, I want it to be worth it. I’ve been making compromises my whole life, but not here, not fucking now. So here’s the deal, Stevie-boy. We go upstairs – your world, that is – and you’ll practice my music like your life-“ 

“Or marriage,” added Dart mischievously, eyeing the ring on Eddie’s finger. 

“Yes, like they depend on it. And then we’ll record it, send it to my contact with Wayne’s contact info, ownership or whatever.” His voice dropped lower at the mention of his uncle’s name. “And then I’ll give you your precious ring back and move on. Being buried and waiting for the worms to come isn’t my idea of a good time anyway. Deal?” 

Without thinking, Steve offered Eddie his hand. “Deal.” Then his brow furrowed, a telltale sign there was something nagging in his brain. “Well, maybe one request from me. If someone sees us in the world above. Can you…like, can you pretend that we’re actually engaged for that time? Or at least that you’re a vengeful zombie who’s crazy opposed to the idea of marriage and is willing to curse me or drag me to the underworld if I marry anyone within the next few days?” 

Eddie’s jaw dropped. “What?” 

Chapter 4 here

[oceanlue]

hello!

i’ve been having the idea for a while but idk how to make it reality so i was wondering if you could make silly headcanons of the yv boys reactions when being bridal carried :3

HahahahhaHAHHAHAHAH YEAS OMG YES

💗Alphonse🧁🍭

He did a stupid thing and forgot to clean the floor when he was cleaning the counters

And it was funny because when you saw him slip it looked like out all the cartoon show you could just hear the special effects

As he fell he said that he was fine and just laid there on the ground

The next thing you did was go by him and say anything broken and he would say no but he being the dramatic b**** he is he would probably say that his leg hurts and he couldn't walk no longer

So you being the badass b**** you were decided to Bridal style carry him by picking him up

And he was surprised that he yelped he didn't know you were this strong

So you carried him in your strong arms all the way over to the couch and you babyed him all night long because he baby

" I really don't know why I would do without you boo maybe I should trip more often if that's how I'm going to get treated every time"

Hehehhe he baby

🧡Seth 🏕🍂

You two are in the woods once again because why not

You were starting to set up a campfire by putting rocks around the hole that you made and started stacking the wood so it would be upright

All of a sudden you hear a yell saying s***

And you go back to see Seth had fallen you asked him if he was okay and he did respond yes he was fine but you didn't believe it

So what you did is slide down the hill and checked his wound turns out he sprained his ankle, it wasn't bad he just need to stay off

So you decide to do the next best thing to surprise them and Bridal carry him this big man you carried in your arms

You really carried a mommy issue having, motorcycle riding, knife blade Wheeling bad boy in your arms

Set this thinking what the heck is going on

You did get him to the campsite and he was just astonished by what you just did

" man sugar I didn't know you were that strong I appreciate it but maybe next time live me to the bridal style carrying sugar after all I like to see you in my arms"

(Nice try Seth but you can't win me that easily)

💚Finn 🪴🌻

This baby boy

Omg baby man

He had an accent back out in the garden where you guys are growing your vegetables flowers or whatever you grow

And he was crying cuz it hurts so bad poor baby please someone hug him

You managed to calm him down and inspected the wound you didn't know what was wrong so you told him we had to go to the walk-in clinic

So you did what a best partner would do and you picked him up

You Bridal style carried him and he was a blushing mess

He was redder than a tomato I think you passed out too

Oh geez someone help him please

He doesn't have any broken bones but he did get sprained pretty bad so for now he is off his feet until he is able to walk again

" thank you my beautiful orchid .....I really appreciate you.....um.... picking me up.... and taking me to the clinic there's ......no wonder why I truly love you can we stay here and cuddle"

He is baby girl

💜Charlie🍕 🐭

This happened when you two were at the skatepark

You were teaching him some new tricks because it's been a while since he's been on a board and you two have been at it for 2 hours

And he was getting real good he can go up around smoothly he can jump on the skateboard smoothly

Except he can't do a grind

( forgive me I do not know any type of skateboard moves I am uncultured if you know any skateboard moves that I have missed please comment down below)

When he was trying to do an ollie he kind of tripped on his feet and try to catch his balance but ended up falling

Immediately asked him if he was okay and he said his ankle Twisted weirdly so you being the best partner he ever had

Decide to pick him up Bridal Style

Oh he was all tons of red he was stuttering he was panicking he was overall a blushing mess

His leg was fine it just spent weird he just need to get off it

"Thanks Kat I really wondered how I miss that trick up but at least I can be here with you and with pizza now how about we put on that old scary movie we used to watch as kids"

Someone get this guy a cookie

❤Auron ☕✒

Some say he was graceful some say he was handsome other say he would be clumsy as f***

He may put up an act at work but when he's at home with his partner he shows us True Colors by being a little clumsy

She was making himself a nice cold drink when he dropped an ice cube went to grab it but his hand didn't reach the counter and slipped and that made him slip on the ice cube as well

You being his partner went to see what that problem was and saw him on the ground looking up at the ceiling regretting every decision he ever made

You got him out of it and asked if he was okay and he said he was fine but you had none of it

So you never told auron this but you are very strong so what did you do you picked the mother f***** up

And he was surprised

Oh is that a blush I see on his face

I think that is a blush

But he did tell you not to tell anyone about this

" from what I can tell rookie it seems that I slightly underestimate you I am still wondering how someone your size can lift someone like me no offense to that but it seems that I am unable to move and unable to do my work so you are going to stay here and nurse me back to health now get over here rookie"

In reality he just wanted cuddles

He may be a sexy CEO boss dominant businessman but on the inside he's just a big old teddy bear

-----------

I hope you like this

Peace out

💙💙💙

[ikram1909]

Players' salaries in 2024 via capology

Frenkie de Jong 37,5M

Robert Lewandowski 33,33M

Ilkay Gundogan 16,750M

Ansu Fati 13,950

Our four biggest earners are either washed or a liability (or both) and are paid a total of 100M aprox. Frenkie and Lewandowski alone are at +70M per salary which is INSANE. Imagine if we got ridden of them, the FFP would be totally different becuse of this ginoumous and undeserved wages.

Frenkie is 26 years old, has been being paid for more than 5 years this wages and still refuses to renew because we all know he will leave as a free agent to get the biggest bonuses in hia next club while milking us. 2024 and we still dont know which position he plays (cant score, cant assist, cant create chances, cant defend, cant do NOTHING) and he is injury prone developing clearly a chronical issue in his ankle (by the way, its very ovvious since he has veen out for more than two months for just an ankle sprain). Lewandowski is the same, he helped us at the beggining of his years as culer and after the WC he came back as washed as ever. Last season he got exposed and his declining is very obvious but he still deludes himself into believing he will be on his prime now that Flick is here (spoiler, it wont) and then be a rat talking in interviews on how its his teammates fault that they dont provide for him. This yeta his wages augemented because of some stupid clauses that I still cant believe how stupid our club is (they never think of long term so they threw money to a grandpa to get him), he started with around 22M wages per year and ended up with fucking 33M, dont yall see the problem here?. Gundogan os declining too, he is by far tge player that less participates in defensive tasks and pressing whichis something Flick demands, just another liability because his de jong ball watching costed us a lot. Also this man is annoying as fuck i cant believe coolers want bvb grandpas be our captains when he already made statements that provoked quarries inside the lockerroom because he cant shut the fuck up and has come savioue complex because he thinks because he won a treble at City then everyone is worse than him somehow. I'm sorry for Ansu but that contract....yeah i cant blame him since they gave him that when he was generational and the biggest prospect before the terrible injury, but he eatsa lot of FFP money for someone who has been disappeared for 2 yearss and went on loan because he wasnt part of the coach's plan, and the fact that he is injufy prone like now....it doesnt help, much less now that we have reports that insist that Ansu is still in the exit list so the board doesnt put too much faith on him

Other players' salaries

Clement Lenglet 12M

Ferran Torres 10M

Iñigo Martínez 9M

Do I really need to talk about them.... especially the first two twins. Some people say Lenglet is on 16M sages but the source I used had different numbers. This guy is the definition of getting paid for nothing, useless guy that is also a fucking shit pf player that gets paid millions amd contract ends in two years because of Bartomeu hell's tenure. We try to get rid off him but he comes back like fleas. Ferran Torres is the definitoln of victim of his price tag (cant believe we got him for 55M....) and the fact that media used the "ferran reduced his wages because he wanted to help the club to sign more players! Poor him" tella you enough hoa protected this dude is because rhey acted like he was getting paid 5 pens and a handkerchief and not more than players like Pedri or Gavi lol. This dude deceived everyone by delivering washed stats but staying with the shark mentality that everyone loves (????) And he pisses me off when he acts like he is an importsnt player but never showing it ("i cant wait for preseason snd work under Flick" *gets vacations after warming up the bench the whole summer*) and whats worse is that he doesnt want to live oh my god he is so annyogin. I dont want to be that harsh on Iñigo, he has been an alright signing, but too injury prone and warms a lot the bench, and sometimes he vn yave brainfarts like Napoli first leg or this years Gamper, i just think his wages are totally undeserved for a man in his thirties

They will all be our by 2026 hopefully

The way the more I read your ask, the closer I got to the edge 😭😭 how are all our highest earners a liability one way or another wtf??? Also, this just shows that there's really no difference between Bartomeu and Laporte. They make the same dumbass deals with salaries too high. It's also crazy to me that all these people earn much much more than our actual most important players who give us everything... It's unfair.

[shinakazami1]

Ep 3 of New tales borderlands live reaction skdjdh

- "What's the big deal it's just a rock" OCTAVIO DID U FORGET ANY HAD A SILLY MOEMBT

- Octavio breaking the ankle so easily makes me wonder just how bad the guys bones are. Sprained, sure but dear lort sjeheh,

- this is the one time I wanted to check what if u dont do quick time since I've been doing every one since then but for the shooting I wanted Octavio not to hit and bro 😂😭😭😭 ADRENALINE RUSH BUDDIES IT SEEMS

- "GOOD KITTY" HELLO Fran I WAS JUST JOKING and THE STICK IN A MUD COMMENT

- "long rage healing gun"? Close enough, welcome back, medic tf2

- It sort of makes sense in the context of this being world filled with guns for them being so desentisized I ALSO SHOT LOU13 cus I wanted to see for robots AND PEOPLE HATED ME I GET IT

- BADASS SUPERFAN IS MY FAV CHARACTER PLEASE "You want to live with me in this fridge" I would man I would

- people, Women, yall,,,,

- TWRP SONG IN INTRO AYO OOOOO

- I feel them deciding to go to a show with the device is a very stupid idea, 😭😭😭😭💡💡but it's gonna be the first one. Like had they forgotten tediore are looking for them,,,,

- OMG STUPID MORON RHYS ILY I have a fav character and I'm not even hiding it

- TIMM-E makes me wonder like, why DOES he keep on moving around and does Rhys thing (I chose the plant) or other guys also do it. Based on Ep 2 this means that the other stuff should travel too, and often to specific locations (seeing Anu and Rhys before)...

- Jim JIMMINY JEMMERSON that's my level of giving names (Looks at my Jeffrey J Jefferson oc)

- LOU13 FEELING SHITTY and the sudden change in Octavio's way of looking at murder? He joked about Anu kills and the fact LOUI3 is having a crisis when in Ep 1 we established its not possible does give the typical borderlands 'Robots are not just their programming'. Though it feels forced in here a bit

- PIERRE ARE U GAY OR DO U HAVE LET DISORDER

- "I don't smell (like) science" I don't smell like jokes either

- Hacking being just a spamming game instead of a bit of some puzzle one

- ngl Finnegan looks like someone out of a Disney movie KSHEHEHEH

- Fran being all about anger in this run makes me wonder if it's only due to me destroying her machine, I might

- the killing is a mixed back but Octavio being a yougg adult (?) makes it make more sense

- I chose to get personal and I'LL MOTHER HELLO

-SMAGIC IS KILLING ME 😂😂😂😭😭😭😭😭

- Octavio being commentator while Finnegan just stares is so fucking

- USE THE GUN YOU MORONS -DEVICE - - How did they forget ABOUT IT I AM CRYING

- Angel investor,,, angel,,,, sniff

- "I could kiss you but I won't" Bro siblings can have cheek kisses why did they make it weird

- THE HUG 😭😭🤗🤗

- Atlas moving is a detail I sort of didn't expect? Like I get after Promethea was attacked in BL3, Rhys would not quite be happy about staying though I wonder how company does then. I feel that's why money is such an important part in their morale as they've lost a lot :/

- I can't believe I say it but I hope to replay and see some differences if I try to get a better or the worst runs possible.

- the Keeper dialogue killed me, the second hand embarrassment... It's so weird how Anu just says how they're criminal too, I know she's a truthful somewhat autistic coded character but,,,

- In general : longest episode yet. I can see why this one made folks question the game as it felt a bit disorganised.

[paleparearchive]

Bazille Is A Worrier?

Bazille's initial 2★ story (1/1)

Location: garden (morning) ; morning sky ; Renoir, Monet, Sisley & Bazille's room | Characters: Bazille, Monet

Bazille: For God's sake… He's not even here, huh?

Monet said he was going to take care of the garden, but where did he go? Jeez… He didn't even go back for lunch, so I came to see how engrossed he was. I don't think so, but he didn't forget to hydrate himself and collapse somewhere, did he?

Monet's voice: WOAAAAH! What a spectacular view! It's so niceee!!!

Bazille: … This voice, is it Monet? God, where is he?

H-Hey! What the hell are you doing on the roof!?

Monet: Oooh! If it ain't Bazille! The view from here's awesome! Ya should climb up here too! Just put your feet up on the fence there and you'll get a good show!

Bazille: Who would climb that! It can't be that easy. No, I'm not a monkey. Generally speaking, gazebo roofs are not made for people to climb up. Get off before you fall!

Monet: Now now, don't say that. It's breezy and awesome!

Bazille: Listen up. Why are you even there in the first place? It's not safe!

—

Monet: Well, the flowers in the garden have started bloomin' and they look great! I just thought it'd look even more beautiful from up here!

Bazille: That's why you climbed up on the roof. … You really are a simple-minded guy.

Monet: Huuuh, why? When something's beautiful, ya just wanna see it from a better angle, dontcha think!?

Bazille: Well, I can understand that mindset... We're artists who pursue beauty after all. But I guess it's part of human nature to use reason in face of danger…

Monet: Noo way! Sometimes a painter's passion for beautiful things can get out of control!

Bazille: Jesus Christ. Don't be a sophist and get the heck off there! What if you fall and break a bone in your hand! You might never be able to paint the pictures you love again.

Monet: D-Don't scare me like that!

Bazille: It's not just a threat. It's a prediction of the worst possible future that could happen as a result of your shallow actions.

Monet: Uuuuugh… Gotcha, I'll just get off. Jeez, ya worry too much, Bazille.

Woah!?

Bazille: MONET!!!

—

Bazille: Hey, are you okay!? Stay strong!!!

Monet: Owowowow… Aaaah, I feeeeell…

Bazille: You're still alive, right!? Are you injured? Where does it hurt!?

Monet: Aaaaah… I'm okay, I'm okay… aaah, it hurts!!!

Bazille: You're not okay at all! Let me take a look at it. Where is it? You don't think it's your arm, do you!?

Monet: No, my leg…

Bazille: Your leg... It doesn't seem to be broken. Let's go back to our room and patch it up. Can you walk?

Monet: Y-Yeah. Thanks, Bazille.

Bazille: … Whatever.

Aaah, alright! I'll lend you a shoulder, don't try to force yourself to walk! You'll only make it worse!

—

Bazille: I can't believe you fell off the roof and only sprained your ankle. You're very sturdy.

Monet: I am! I'm workin' out like Manet-aniki! It's good muscle trainin', wanna do it too, Bazille?

Bazille: I won't do it. Mostly because I don't even want to climb up there.

Monet: It's good to change your perspective once in a while.

Bazille: Just be glad it wasn't your arm that got injured.

Monet: Uuugh… Okay. I'll be careful.

Bazille: Right. From now on, no more climbing up high places. And of course, no tree climbing as well.

Monet: Huuuh!?

Bazille: Don't go out too much for a while. If you walk around with poor protection, you'll lose your physical balance and it will affect your brush strokes. Oh yeah, muscle training is also prohibited.

Monet: W-Why!?

Bazille: You're the kind of guy who, if he moves his body even a little bit, is definitely going to want to move around more. At least stay put until you get better.

Monet: But I'm fine…! I'm not that dumb…

Bazille: If you don't understand it, I'll make a picture of you in your stupid bandages and hang it all over our room, okay?

Stay put. Got it?

Monet: O-Okaaay…

[wardenred]

Sapphic September 3: 3 AM

Pretty much a free writing exercise, I guess.

The familiar ringtone I haven't heard in six months rips through the silence of my apartment. Shabby, my ancient cat, twitches an ear in her sleep and stretches, pushing the phone off its usual charging place on the edge of my mattress. On the floor, it continues singing the song of the past, and I should really pick it up—the phone, not the call, any wise person would simply ignore the call—but I'm frozen.

"Meow," Shabby says. Her eyes are still closed, but her annoyance is apparent. I nearly fall out of my desk chair as I scramble up, then down on my knees. I stare at the phone screen. The initial followed by a sparkling heart emoji blinks back at me. I remember changing that heart to a broken one on the evening of our oh so amicable break-up, then deciding I was being too dramatic and refusing to save the change.

The song goes on and on, an old melancholy tune with a trace of hope in it. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You. What did I ever expect, really, with a song like that to serve as our romantic theme? She all but warned me on the very first night when I heard her sing in that dumb karaoke bar for the first time.

Behind the paper-thin wall, a neighbor coughs. I draw a breath. The last two brain cells I possess vote unanimously for tapping Dismiss, and like the fool that I am, I go for Accept instead.

"Yes?" I've got the perfect excuse for my shaky voice, for how long it's taken me to respond. Just look at the time!

"Hey you." She dares to sound just like herself, like all these months of distance have never happened, and I think I'll never breathe again. Consider me dead. "So what are you doing awake at 3 AM for the fifth night in a row?"

"How do you—"

"I can see you online on Discord. And Facebook. And basically everywhere."

Oh. Right. We're still friends on basically everywhere. Messengers, socials, she's on every contact list I have. I'd lie if I said I don't still waste unreasonable chunks of time just staring at her userpic, the same across all of the Internet. A photo I took with a filter she applied. Except I don't see her online all that often, and when I do, it's always with some stupid red status icon. Busy. Away. Do Not Disturb.

"I ran into your friend Maggie tonight," she continues,as if this was a perfectly normal conversation. "She said you’re dating her brother."

"Uh." That's not quite true. John and I have agreed to go on a date. Next week. It hasn't even happened yet. In truth, I'm not sure I want it to happen. Maybe I will conveniently get sick right around Friday evening. Or there might be a food poisoning. Or a sprained ankle. Normally, I prefer excuses focused on last-minute work projects I couldn't say no to, because I have this stupid conviction it makes me look like a responsible adult. Alas, those don't fly so well on the weekends.

"Don't do that," she says. "I don't want you to."

Such a simple request, worded so confidently, like she has any right whatsoever to dictate what happens in my life. The life she's no longer even a part of.

I can't help but laugh at the sheer audacity. Shabby opens one yellow eye and peers at me in such abject displeasure I am forced to reach out and give her all the pats to compensate for the inconvenience.

In a certain light, her eyes look yellow, too, though they never lost their green. Like an autumn lake with golden leaves floating over murky waters, illuminated by the last rays of sunset.

"So?"

"So?.." I repeat after her.

"You won't do that, right?"

"Darling," and I meant to use her name, I swear I meant to, but the usual endearment flows way too easily of my lips. "I don't think you get a say in what I do or don't do any longer."

"Well, no one else is running an intervention, so I kind of have to!"

"What on earth makes you think I need an intervention?!"

"Duh. You own stupid plan? Come on. You don't even like guys most of the time."

"Some of the time I like them just fine," I counter. "And it's John. He's—he's sweet."

"If you ever liked John that way, you would have both gone for it a long time ago.”

He likes me that way, though. He has for a while. And that's why I should feel guilty for how the chances of me getting food poisoning on Friday are plummeting down. I kind of want to go out with John now. Just to give her an excuse to run more interventions.

This is reckless. Twisted. Not like me at all.

All the things she's always brought out in me.

"You won't go, will you?"

"Why are you up at 3 AM on the weekday stalking my socials?"

Neither of us gets an answer we want.

[haloburns]

hey look i wrote 4k while sick!! impressive!! too bad it's literally nothing i needed written!!

this is the moment (damn all the odds)

This was so stupid.

Mateo winced and tried to leverage himself up again, only to have his heavy messenger bag force him back to the grass.

“Fuck,” he hissed. He glanced at his watch, then at the building only a few hundred feet in front of him, then back at his watch. The students milling about the quad were slowly dwindling, so no one noticed Mateo sitting on the ground. And no one thought it was all that odd, since he wasn’t crying or holding his ankle or generally being dramatic. He could probably limp his way to class if his bag didn’t rely on putting all of his weight on one side. Even if he switched it to the other side, it would overbalance him again, since he already had to put most of his weight on that side to avoid walking on his fucked up ankle.

He needed help.

To walk the last four hundred feet to class.

This was so, so stupid.

He dug his phone out, mentally flipping through what he remembered of his friends’ schedules. Emrys and Nikau were off campus doing something today, Manaia had a lab right now, and Vanessa was in a recitation. Which left…

Danny.

He didn’t have classes for the rest of the afternoon, which meant he was Mateo’s only option. Hesitantly, he dialed his roommate's number.

He didn’t hesitate because he thought Danny wouldn’t help, because he knew he would. It was just… Mateo had discovered his secret that weekend, and while he was more than okay with it, there was still a little bit of adjusting required. His roommate was dead. And not just any dead guy, The dead guy. The one who saved the world, who had statues around the world dedicated to him.

And, for some reason, he was Mateo’s dorky roommate. Like it wasn’t the most bizarre thing in the known (and unknown, apparently) universes.

Danny picked up on the second ring. “Hey, Teo, what’s up? I thought you had class?”

Concern was immediately evident in his voice, and Mateo couldn’t help the smile that twitched at the corner of his mouth.

“Yeah. Yeah, um, I do. That’s actually kinda why I was calling?” He scratched the back of his head and glanced down at his ankle. “I kinda maybe sprained my ankle on the way to class?”

“Shit.” There was a quiet clatter on the other end as Danny scrambled up. “Are you okay? Where are you? I’ll be right there, Teo.”

“Danny,” Mateo laughed, listening to his roommate’s panic quickly increase. “It’s not like I’m bleeding out. I’m sitting on the quad, staring at my building forlornly. I just need help getting into the building, that’s all. I don’t need a medevac.”

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